CJHL MVP Award goes to Bandit Cale Makar

Brooks Bandits defenceman Cale Makar (Calgary, AB) has become the first player in franchise history to be named Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Most Valuable Player, it was announced May 19.

The 18-year old defenceman was chosen among 5 finalists from the 132 teams that comprise the CJHL, and adds to his CJHL honours which include the 2017 CJHL Top Defenceman award and the 2016 CJHL Rookie of the Year award.

The 5’11”, 179lb Makar led all AJHL defencemen in scoring this season with 75 points (24 goals, 51 assists) in 54 games, adding a further 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists) in 13 playoff games as the Bandits won their second consecutive Gas Drive Cup as league champions.

Makar was named Top Defencemen at the 2017 Western Canada Cup, won by the Bandits, after recording three goals and five assists in five games, and in three round robin games at the 2017 RBC Cup so far scored five points (2 goals, 3 assists) to rank fourth at the tournament.

At the 2016 World Junior A Challenge, Makar served as captain of Team Canada West, scoring eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) in just 4 games, including a defenceman record-setting five points in a single game, against Switzerland.

He is currently ranked ninth among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the upcoming NHL draft.

Makar has a maximum of two games left in his Junior A career before beginning his collegiate career with the University of Massachusetts. The first will be tomorrow night as the Bandits take on the Terrebonne Cobras in the RBC Cup semi-final beginning at 5:30 PM Alberta time, 7:30 PM in Cobourg.